We are so happy to welcome Savannah Brooks, agent at Jennifer DiChiara Literary Agency, to the podcast! In this episode, we discuss what’s normal to ask your agent, how is the industry becoming more transparent—and what happens after a book doesn’t sell. We also discuss the odds of selling books at agent stage, working on … Read more
We are so happy to welcome Mary Murchie, the Manuscript academy’s Minister of Happiness! Mary has an unusual, amazing talent: she can make anyone feel better just by calling them up. Knowing that writing requires you to take a whole-person approach—if you aren’t feeling right, often your work will come out strangely—we have her on … Read more
We loved talking with Mary Cummings about so many things—how slush piles looked in the days of paper, how the submission process is like Miracle on 34th Street (and often as divisive as pineapple on pizza), and—more extensively—what you should ask an agent, when given the chance. Tune in also for mentions of opera, Slush … Read more
Karen Joy Fowler didn’t want to write a novel. But an editor had asked her to lunch. She should take the meeting to be polite, she thought. She’d just end the lunch with a “No, thank you, I don’t want to write a book,” and that would be that. Instead, she ended up agreeing to … Read more
Hello friends! Today we have, well, the biggest interview we’ve ever hosted, focused on one of the funniest, friendliest, and most creative writing groups we’ve ever met. If you’ve ever wondered how to find a community and keep it, this episode is for you. Of the 20+ members of the group, we had a wonderful … Read more
By Anna Sargeant Editor, children’s nonfiction @ Sourcebooks eXplore When I read a nonfiction manuscript, the first thing I gauge is not the facts or the subject matter, but what the book feels like. Is it funny? Is it nostalgic? Is it triumphant? Is it whimsical? That feeling matters so much to me because facts … Read more
“Reading Lauren Kate’s By Any Other Name is like watching a Nora Ephron movie. It makes the day seem brighter, the world seem more hopeful, and happiness seem possible for everyone. This book is a buoyant celebration of love.” –Jill Santopolo, author of The Light We Lost and More Than Words * We loved talking with Lauren Kate, author of By … Read more
Traditional publishing isn’t the only game in town – and writers are taking their work (books, editorials, magazines, and journals) and turning to Medium – an online publishing platform. But this is not your grandmother’s blogging. Join top Medium writer Carlyn Beccia to discuss how to make money writing on Medium, find your true written … Read more
Join us for a queries and first pages panel with agent Alyssa Jennette (Stonesong Literary). Submit your work for a chance at live feedback from Esther and our panel–plus, of course, a publishing Q&A. This event is designed to be supportive, uplifting, encouraging–and 100% introvert-friendly. (Wear pajamas! We’ll never know.) A replay will be available … Read more
We are so excited to share this hopeful, uplifting story that’s the perfect example of good things happening for good people. Ambika had sent out more than 150 queries–getting mostly form rejections and ghosts–when she learned how to pivot, met her agent–and now has a deal with a major publishing house. Ambika Vora was born … Read more
